It hasn't taken University of Memphis freshmen Lars Van Meijel of the Netherlands long to get into the swing of college golf.

When the Tiger men's golf team opens play Monday at the ASU Fall Beach Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala. — the U of M's final fall event — Van Meijel will be seeking his third individual title in four tournaments.

It's been an impressive start for Van Meijel, who shot a final-round 66 for a three-day total of 208 to tie for individual honors at the Shoal Creek Intercollegiate last month in Birmingham. It was Van Meijel's first college tournament. Meijel and Will Pearson, who finished at 6-under 210, helped the U of M to a victory over a strong field.

Van Meijel said he played his first college tournament with a new, heavier, traditional putter and had no expectations.

"I knew coming in I was playing well because my summer (results in Europe) were good," he said. "But I didn't know what to expect."

Two weeks later, Van Meijel closed with a final-round 68 at the Bank of Tennessee Intercollegiate in Johnson City, Tenn., to finish eighth and followed last weekend with his second fall individual title. Van Meijel shot a tournament-best 6-under 66 to finish in a first-place tie at the Bridgestone Golf Intercollegiate in Greensboro, N.C. The Tigers finished third.

"Overall he has a very laid-back personality, but he's very competitive," said Tiger coach Grant Robbins. "And he has a lot of confidence on the golf course. He isn't afraid to shoot low numbers. You don't often see that from a freshman."

Van Meijel, 19, spent his first 14 years in Italy before his parents, who are Dutch, moved back to The Netherlands. Van Meijel speaks four languages — Italian, Spanish, Dutch and English.

Van Meijel said he was attracted to Memphis because of the city's mild climate that allows for nearly year-round play. Access to a variety of challenging courses in the area played a role, too.

"Usually there is an adjustment period for international players," Robbins said. "But he has been so traveled that he hasn't needed much of an adjustment period."

AAC soccer tourney kicks off

The U of M women's soccer team, which won five straight Conference USA titles, will have a stronger test trying to extend its streak.

The U of M will enter its first American Athletic Conference tournament as the No. 7 seed and open play at 6 p.m. Friday in Louisville against Houston (1-11-3). A victory would place the Tigers in a quarterfinal match against host and No. 2 seed Louisville (12-4-2). Nationally ranked UCF (15-2-2) is the top seed.

The Tigers (11-7) have won 14 of their past 15 tournament games and will be led by senior Christabel Oduro, who is a goal shy of breaking the school record of 43.

The tournament semifinals will be held next weekend in Orlando at the UCF Soccer Complex.

Odds and ends

The women's tennis team is playing host to the three-day Memphis Collegiate Invitational Friday through Sunday at The Racquet Club ... The women's volleyball team plays host to Cincinnati at Friday night at 7 at the Elma Roane Fieldhouse. The U of M, which has won two straight home matches, is 11-12 overall, 3-6 in league play.